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Soft drinks Games row still fizzing

Allan McGee carries the Queen’s Baton as part of the launch of Glasgow2014, but there is anger the Games are being sponsored by the makers of Irn-Bru ( Handout/Getty)

THE organisers of the Commonwealth Games are facing renewed criticism for their relationship with Scotland’s largest soft drinks manufacturer after two hard-hitting government reports raised serious concerns over the health impacts of sugary drinks.

AG Barr, which makes Irn Bru, often referred to as Scotland’s “other national drink”, is one of the main sponsors of this summer’s Games, a decision derided by health campaigners when it was announced in 2012.

Its links with the sporting extravaganza provoked fresh anger last week after UK government scientists warned that drinking one can of fizzy drink a day is unhealthy.

A separate report by Public Health England outlined measures that it will consider recommending to minsters to tackle excessive sugar consumption which it said is fuelling obesity and poor dental health in children and teenagers. Obesity could cost up to £50 billion a year by 2050 if current trends continue, the report said